Page 48 of Iblis' Affliction
“As you wish, Master. Slater will name the rat, but Slater wants something in return. It’s only fair, Master.”
Talha’s throat closed as the familiar rage that lack of control always stirred in him throbbed in his fingertips. Getting sick of the reaper’s games, he asked, “What do you want? Money?”
“Master doesn’t learn,” the liquid voice drawled, ringing with displeasure. “Slater keeps saying, but Master never listens. Slater. Doesn’t. Need. Money. Slater will name the rat, but Master stays with Slater tonight. Master has to stop running. Tonight, Master, you stay with Slater.”
“It’s a party tonight,” Talha reasoned. “A lot of people will be here. Some will stay over.”
“Tonight, Master, or no deal.” Slater’s face darkened, which only intensified his bright, hungry eyes.
“Fine,” Talha said through gritted teeth. “If you say the truth, I’ll spend the night with you. But listen carefully, if you drop fake accusations or can’t prove your words, I’m going to burn you alive and watch you squirm. Is it clear?”
“Crystal.” Slater grinned.
Someone knocked, and the door creaked open. Darting a glance down the corridor, Dinçer stepped in.
“What the hell is going on, Talha? What are you, in love or your girlfriend is pregnant? You daydreamed during the meeting. And a party?” Disregarding Slater’s presence, he ambled through the room. “I had plans for tonight.”
Talha didn’t know what to say. The grain of doubt, the reaper planted, gave the first sprout. Instead of answering his friend, he pressed Slater. “Name. Now.”
A superior smile touched the plump mouth as the reaper slowly, playfully, dragged his lazy gaze over Dinçer.
“No games.”
Smile dropping under Talha’s deathly glare, Slater slurred mimicking Salik’s speech, “Fine. It’s Toothless.”
“Are you talking cartoons?” Dinçer’s gaze fixed on Slater, disapproval tugged the corners of his lips downwards. “I don’t care who you are, but get up from Reis’ bed right now. Where are your manners?”
Talha laughed as the realization hit. “You don’t even know his name. How can I believe you? I must be out of my mind.”
Slater paled, shooting to his feet. “Slater never lies, Master.”
“Let’s pretend I believe you. Tell me, why on earth did you attend the meeting? Did you do it with Behçet? How many people know who you are? Why on earth do I need a reaper who is a walking target?”
“Don’t worry, Master. Slater never attended Behçet’s meetings. Slater wasn’t interested. Only your people know,” he pointed toward Dinçer with his chin. “Should Slater kill them?”
“No. Why did you attend now?” Talha narrowed his eyes. The events didn’t make sense to him.
“The rat is in the house. Master is careless. Slater should protect.”
“Oh my god…” The splitting headache, settling, made thinking difficult. Approaching the window, Talha opened the wooden leaf, letting in the smell of heated dust.
“Am I missing something?” Dinçer frowned. Body tensing, his feet took a defensive stance.
“Slater says I have a toothless rat in my house,” Talha’s face refused to drop that tight, jaw-numbing smile.
“A toothless rat?” Dinçer repeated.
“Salik,” Talha spat out the name.
“Salik is the rat?” Dinçer considered the words for a moment before he burst out laughing. “You say he rats us out to the cops? Impossible. Also, Salik is an old friend. You talk nonsense.”
“Not cops, no.” Slater’s restless fingers fumbled over his black pants as if he was looking for the comfort the weapon provided, except today he didn’t carry anything. “To Behçet Asani.”
“It’s very comfortable, isn’t it? He is dead, so he can’t confirm or deny anything you say.” Talha smirked.
Pushing away from the windowsill, he circled Slater then stopped behind his back. “Why should I believe you? Salik and I have been working together for years. He had always been loyal. Do you have any proof?”
Palms clasping around Slater’s throat, Talha counted his pulse. Slow at first, it quickened as the seconds ticked. The thought that it must be fear disappeared, as the familiar color of arousal touched Slater’s cheeks. Talha dropped his hands.
